Eco-friendly and luxurious in Quebec - $13.5M

Robert J. Galbraith, The Gazette02.04.2013

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

With over 25,000 sq. ft. of living space on a 542,160 sq. ft. lot, the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville is listed for sale by Sotheby's Real Estate Quebec for $13,500,000, in Senneville, Quebec.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The waterfront view looking out over the Lake of Two Mountains, from the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville. The bridge in the background is the Ile aux Tourtes bridge which connects the Island of Montreal to Vaudreuil.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

A view of the foyer of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

A view of the foyer looking towards the dining room of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The 20-seat dining room (one of two in the mansion) is a room fit for royalty, with two dazzling handmade chandeliers.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The 20-seat dining room (one of two in the mansion) is a room fit for royalty, with two dazzling handmade chandeliers.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The kitchen of the stone mansion at 200 chemin de Senneville features dark granite countertops and a solid silver, handmade crystal chandelier.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

Egyptian-influenced detailing in a first-floor bathroom of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

For the fitness enthusiast, there is a pool and official-size racquet ball court, which converts into a basketball court.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

Looking down from the second floor landing to the first floor of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The view looking out to the grounds of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The second floor master bedroom suite of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The ensuite bathroom of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

A magnificent guest bedroom in the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

An opulent hardwood and wrought-iron spiral staircase leads to all four levels of the home. The property is listed for sale by Sotheby's Real Estate Quebec for $13.5 million.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The stunning wrought-iron and hardwood spiral staircase of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville, looking from the third floor level to the second floor.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The raquetball court of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The pool room of the luxurious stone mansion at 200 Chemin de Senneville.Robert J. Galbraith
/ The Gazette

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

The sprawling residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 5.7-hectare parcel of land. For more information, visit Sotheby's International Realty Canada.Handout photo
/ Sotheby's International Realty Canada

Related

Anyone looking for a quaint Sunday drive to view luxurious mansions and properties might do well to consider a trip along Senneville Rd., less than a half-hour downtown. Hugging the shoreline of the Lake of Two Mountains, this scenic area has always been an attractive domicile for the well-to-do crowd; those wishing to escape the close quarters of city living.

A fine example of a beautiful estate is located at 200 Senneville Rd., a very private lakefront property that Sotheby's International Realty Quebec has listed for sale at $13.5 million.

So what does this estate offer the prospective buyer? For starters, the sprawling, eco-friendly residence has more that 25,000 square feet of living space, set on a 542,160-square-foot (5.7 hectare) parcel of land. The stunning main residence has many highlights, including 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a racquetball court, a huge heated indoor swimming pool, a stable to lodge four horses, an eight-car garage, six hand-carved stone fireplaces, a boat house, private beach and its very own home theatre, as well as a long list of other luxurious amenities.

Built in 2005 with stone quarried in Havelock, the construction of this lake-front mansion took two years to complete with no expense spared in its workmanship and architectural elegance. For example, all the high-end plumbing fixtures were imported from Italy; the chandeliers in the dining room are solid brass and one in the very contemporary kitchen is solid silver.

Entering the main floor (second level) of the mansion, the foyer is open, bright and inviting. It has towering, 10-metre-high ceilings and warm crema marble flooring. This is inlaid with brown marble diamond patterns. A large marble star insert inside the main doorway adds an extra touch of elegant richness.

At one side of the entrance hall, an opulent hardwood and wrought-iron spiral staircase leads to all four levels of the home. Whoever designed this "stairway to heaven" must have been a magician in symmetry and the balance of eye-appealing form. A visitor may well describe the staircase as the centrepiece of the home, though some might say the indoor pool is the centrepiece.

On the other side of the foyer is the 20-seat dining room (one of two in the mansion). It is a room fit for royalty, with two dazzling handmade crystal and brass chandeliers and a beautiful carved stone fireplace that provides a warm atmosphere enhancing the Louis XV style furnishings.

From here, you cross the hallway where two French doors open up to the main kitchen and its mahogany Amr Helmy kitchen cabinets with stainless steel drawers. Appliances are all top-of-the-line, including two Sub Zero fridges in brushed stainless steel. All countertops are made of dark granite that is buffed to a silky smoothness. The flooring is also granite and adds an extra richness to the room's ambience. It is lit by halogen in-ceiling lamps and an extensive floor-to-ceiling bay window that brings in a flood of natural light. Its crowning jewel is a the solid silver, handmade crystal chandelier.

Along the hallway, the Egyptian-themed bathroom is something to behold. Made of imported travertine limestone, the walls and sink have Egyptian hieroglyphics carved into them. This is a facility where even Cleopatra would feel at home in.

The spectacular in-ground swimming pool varies from a depth of one metre to four metres and is definitely no wading pool. A Jacuzzi that holds up to six people waits poolside for the fatigued swimmer. But if that doesn't ease aching muscles, the poolside bar will. There is a gas fireplace inside and a wood-burning fireplace outside on the huge exterior stone patio.

To complete your day at this interior beach zone, the surround-sound stereo system blasts out your favourite Beach Boys surfing tunes.

The third floor is the bedroom area where the expansive master bedroom encompasses 2,000 square feet. Three sets of French patio doors give an all-around view of the property. The dark hardwood floor accents the inclined ceiling that towers above the room. The ensuite has hand-carved wooden cabinets, porcelain sinks, double marble-lined showers and a large therapeutic bath.

The fourth level is largely open and reserved for the children and has a game room and a large bedroom space, separated by two French doors with hand-carved brass handles. There is a washroom with round shower and marble flooring.

The basement level is the entertainment area. An official-size, 20X40-foot racquetball court, which easily converts into a basketball court with drop-down nets, has hardwood floors. The cinema room or home theatre has eight super-comfortable reclining chairs and is especially insulated for high-quality sound dynamics. There is also a gym, a changing room, billiard room, large living room, wine cellar, full bathroom, powder room, full kitchen and dining room.

The entire home, including its garages, is radiantly heated (and cooled in the summer) by a geothermal system that draws its energy from four underground springs. This eliminates all reliance on fossil fuels. Should the power ever go out, a large Cummins backup generator automatically takes over, providing heating and lighting for the entire home.

Waste water is treated naturally with a Bionest water-purification system that boosts the natural action of soil-borne microbes that purify waste water into reusable water. This method takes care of the need to hook up to an expensive sewer line system and reduces any chance of leakage or spilling of tainted water into the sensitive ecosystem of the area.

The home's main water source is supplied independently by an artesan well. There is a fire hydrant connected to the pool that helps decrease insurance premiums.

Hundred-year-old sugar maple trees, white oak, red oak and walnut grace the expansive grounds. Panoramic views of the Lake of Two Mountains complete the feast of natural beauty found outside the residence.

"From its conception we wanted the home to be self-sufficient and environmentally green," explained the property owners (who wish to remain anonymous). "Our home uses an eco-flow septic system for waste water and we have four wells that we tap into for our geothermal heating and cooling system. The heat is dispersed through hidden piping located just below the marble and ceramic floors. It's very well implemented. This makes our home eco-friendly, and we are proud of that."

They said that after owning the property for 12 years and living in the house since its completion in 2005, it is time to move on. "For the two of us, it's just too big. The children are never here and we travel a lot."

They believe the property will attract someone who might be living in Montreal but is looking for a country, four-season rural escape. "The person who is considering buying this property first must have the money - of course. The rest is a formality."

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